Selection Day In
Paradise
Beginning in 2026, the Paradise Valley Police Department will transition from the current POPAT (Peace Officer Physical Fitness Test) to the new Physical Ability Test (PAT).
Physical Ability Test (PAT)
The PAT is designed to reflect the real-world physical demands of policing. Candidates will complete a series of tasks that simulate essential job functions, including:
Obstacle Navigation
Climbing over barriers and maneuvering through tight spaces.
Pursuit Simulation
Short-distance sprinting and directional changes.
Victim Rescue
Dragging a weighted dummy to safety.
Equipment Carry
Lifting and transporting weighted objects.
The requirement for successful completion of the PAT is to finish the course in two minutes and six seconds (2:06) or less. The test is graded on a pass/fail basis.